Case loader and sealer



Aug. 11, 1953 J. L. FERGUSON ETAL 2,643,182

CASE LOADBR AND SEALER Filed Feb. 3, 194a 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 g- 1953 J. L. FERGUSON EIAL 2,648,182

CASE LOADER AND SEALER 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 3, 1948 Aug. 11, 1953 J. FERGUSON EI'AL 2,643,182

CASE LOADER AND SEALER Filed Feb. 3, 1948 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 I" I i 2 I I if I l I 4 -------J Aug. 11, 1953 J. L. FERGUSON ETAL 2,543,182

CASE LOADER AND SEALER Filed Feb. 3, 1948 7 Sheets-Shoat 5 LLLI i LJ A 11, 1953 J. L. FERGUSON EI'AL 2648182 CASE LOADER AND SEAL 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Feb. 3. 1

Aug. 11, 1953 J. L. FERGUSON EIAL CASE LOADER AND SEALER 7' Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Feb. 3, 1948 Patented Aug. 11, 1953 CASE LOADER AND SEALER John L. Ferguson and Richard C. Talbot, J oliet, Ill., assignors to J. L. Ferguson Company, J oliet, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application February 3, 1948, Serial No. 5,976

19 Claims. 1

This invention relates to apparatus for automatically loading a predetermined number of packages into an empty case or carton, and upon the completion of said loading for automatically moving the loaded case through flap sealing equipment.

It should immediately, however, be noted that the movement of the loaded case through flap sealing equipment takes place in response to the predetermined proper operation of the loading mechanism and not because of some predetermined timing of a normally continual cyclic or intermittently operating parts. The timing of the various parts does not control the operation thereof, and in this respect the hereinafter described and claimed apparatus is patentably different from those now available. In short, the various parts of the herein-described apparatus move only in response to certain case positioning and package loading movements rather, as in the prior art, moving continuously in recurring cycles dictated by the timed relationship of the parts; in the first instance the apparatus is truly automatic because the various operations are dependent upon one another while in the prior art an operator starts the machine with the intention that it will continue to operate until something goes Wrong.

The inventors are intimately familiar with certain apparatus wherein packages are loaded into empty cases and the cases after being loaded moved through flap sealing mechanism; as a matter of fact, United States Letters Patent No. 2,050,437 to J. J. Thayer and No. 2,124,962 to Ferguson and Talbot (both owned by the assignee of the instant application) illustrate apparatus comprising a number of timed mechanisms operating to load packages into an empty case and thereafter carry the thus loaded case through flap sealing mechanism. However, the apparatus of these latter patents as Well as of any other apparatus including timed mechanisms is wholly different from that herein described. The difference may be simply stated, i. e., all of the prior art apparatus with which the inventors hereof are familiar include continuously operating driving means connected to the case loading and case sealing mechanism in such timed relation that the operations take place in proper spaced relation. If, however, something goes Wrong with either the case loading or with any of the other functions of the machine, the machine is stopped until readjustment thereof was made.

At the outset, therefore, it should be understood that the herein-described and claimed apparatus is wholly difierent in character. The instant apparatus means for carrying the loaded case through flap sealing mechanism does not operate continuously; it is started only in response to a predetermined cycle of case loading operation. Another major difference residesin the provision of means whereby the flap sealing portion of the apparatus continues to function, i. e., the loaded case continues to be moved therethrough even though package loading into another case has been initiated. Consideration of the two above-identified patents and any others of comparable character immediately demonstrates that the just-described operation cannot be secured in these prior art patents. This is so because the empty case in the prior art is intermittently moved through a series of case opening, case loading and case flap closing and sealing positions. The flexibility which is the striking feature of the invention herein described and claimed is not present in the prior art patents.

Again, whereas other prior art patents like No. 1,821,111 to G. W. Mudd, might at first blush be thought to resemble the herein-described apparatus so far as the straight line operation thereof is concerned, on must immediately appreciate that Mudds apparatus does not illustrate an apparatus wherein the loading of a predetermined number of packages into an empty case starts up a conveyor mechanism for carrying the loaded case through flap sealing means. Above all, apparatus of the character described in the Mudd patents does not automatically insure sufiiciently continuous and prolonged travel of the filled case conveyor properly to seal the flaps thereof after such conveyor has been initially set into operation. Here again the prior art patents by reason of their various intermittently operating and timed portions being rigidly tied together do not permit the flexibility of operation which, as will be apparent from the following description, is one of the outstanding novel features of the herein-described apparatus.

Accordingly, while many case loading apparatuses are now on the market, they all suffer from the inevitable complications of trying to do too much automatically in the way of assembling packages in loading areas and/or from an operation of intermittently moved conveyors. None of these known to the inventors herein enable parallel straight-line operation of a package supply line and of a loaded case sealing line which are automatically associated in the manner herein described.

The manner in which the present invention achieves a simplified straight-line parallel operation of the completely automatically related package loading and case sealing functions will be best understood as the description of the apparatus proceeds.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the essential portions of an apparatus embodying this invention, it being understood that in this view as --well as-in many others, only so much of the mechanism is described as may be necessary forzan understanding of the invention;

Fig. la is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a desirable sub-combination structure forming part of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus as illustrated in Fig. 1;

'"Fig. 3 is an enlargeduelevationalvview:substan Fig-'4 is-ian enlarged'elevationalview. substantiallyon line 11 4- 4 of :Fig.:1;

Fig. 4a is a"perspectiveview of -the packageloading" horn" forming :part .of the present. invention;

Fig. 5is a'planuview' ofzsormuchof the apparatus as is shown ini-Figs. 3 and 4;

Figs; 6, land 8iare:plan,-side elevational. and 1 end views'of. the package loading plunger structure;

TigsiQ; l0zand 11=are:side; plan andrend' views respectively of =some'of theloading mechanism.in

more enlarged-form than it has elsewhere. inrthe drawingsbeen 'feasibleito. show this same. structure. and

Tig."l2'is a perspective illustration ofthe mechanism which :15 iautomatically operated.in .re-

sponse to the loading of a predetermined number :of .packages'to progress a .filled casathrough 1 the flap sealing mechanism.

It will be understood that in all of the.fore

zgoing' illustrationsany unimportant (sofar as "that particular 'view is' concerned) masking-.por- U; tions of certain-mechanisms .are .omitted whenever aclear showingof other. mechanism. is-more desirable.

iThe apparatus comprises a package .loading zone including=the mechanism for continuously supplyingypackages. in front of the opensideof a .case and for-loading apredeterminednumber of vpackages-into the case. The mechanism for load- .ing..the continuouslysuppliedpackages into the .case.is suchthatany number of rows, each row 4 1 comprising any number .of packages, may be loaded intothe case before'the latter is automatically moved througha sealing zone.

The .apparatus of the "present invention includes means forinitiating'the loading of the packages into the-case only when two predeterqninedconditions exist, i. e.,- the proper positioning of an empty case in package-receiving posi- .tinuous'supplyofpackages eventuates'consequent assembly of 'sucoeeding'rows :of packages, and upon .therassembly of ;each'su'ch row, the case loadingrmechanism functionsas indicated.

:;The apparatus -is further :so constituted that -;any:predetermined number of rows may beloaded 'with case loading devices. -without departingz fromthe spirit of the. present section :may be equally well handled.

:belt *conveyor :2 0.

soughtto; achieve some of'the just-recited results, no-previous apparatus-has embodied mechanism of the simplicity and consequent low cost as hereafter described. Accordingly, some of the novelty of the .present apparatus resides in such simplification and lowered costs to the customer.

-After='the predetermined number of packages "have been loaded into the case, the case loading mechanism is so associated with the case sealing mechanism thatv the loaded case is automatically moved through case sealing mechanism. Here again, a definitely simplified apparatus has been provided for the last indicated purpose. The following detailed description I emphasizes :that

i-theiinstant' invention permits .the accomplish- "mentzof the. automatic movement of the loaded "casefthroughthe-sealing mechanism in a-wholly novel, expeditiousand simplified manner. .Because of these latter factors, it will be; possible to substitute other case sealing -mechanisms for those hereinafter described, and -it should-be understood that; one of the material contributions ofthe present invention is the disclosure of novel --mechanism associatinguaicase loader and a case sealer in such manner that manycasesealers now on the-market will-undoubtedly tbe associated This .can .bedone invention: in. its broader aspects.

Z'Referring IlOW'LITlOI'B particularly touthe .draw- 'ings;;the packagesfP. loaded inthe here-described machine are rectangular inn-cross section. It; is,

of course, understood that packagesof other cross These packagesrP are supplied toithe apparatus on -.a

Gne sub-combination mechanism'which' hasbeen found of material. advanztage Z in supplying such packages via such .belt :conveyor. includes longitudinallyextending tubular:rollers:2 I" andr22. .These latter are .used when the Weight of the material in the packages'and/or the ;cross sectional. shape; thereof renders it 'diffivcult to. maintain the packages in proper position :asthey areprogressed: to the loading zone. The rotation of these tubular guide members in opposite directions so that the :surfacesthereof .are 1 constantly pressed inwardly "and downwardly against'the sides ofthe packages maintains the latterinproper uprightposition on .the moving -.belt: to be. arrangedin .rows containing a predetermined .numberof: packages in front of. the open :end or. side .of caseyC (seeFigLla) The zcase' C lSZSUDIJOI'tCd during the loadingiof packages thereinto on-atplatform or case+supporting plate 23. Proper positioning of'the case .C.on said platform .23 tcauses'the case upper fiap Fl .at the open endthereof to be held outuof the way by'two upper'supporting members '24, 24 on arhorn .or guide'member 25 (see Fig.4a). :latter. hornv is somewhat funnel vshapedrand also This comprises a. horizontal bottom plate-.26, a narrow vertical side plate 21, a-wider verticalsideplate 28. (constituting a vertical, package-stop) and. two vertical wing members 28 and. ,Axlower 'fiap guide :30 Of .novel cross-section is positioned slightly belowrthe plate .26 .so that the-opened lower flap F2 of the case-to .be;loaded'.is .constrainedstoipass under-.the-plate25 .-as the case is pushed into position around the horn. This flap (because of its inherent spring) tends at first to move down along the 45 portion of said flap guide and is then (after getting well under the plate 26) caused to move between said plate and the inner edge of the flap guide. The wings 29 and 29 hold the side flaps F3 and F4 in correct package-receiving position.

It should be noted that the packages to be loaded stand on the rear of plate 26 (having been pushed thereonto by the rearward packages on conveyor 20) and that the vertical side plates form, with said plate 26, an interiorly smooth funnel for guiding the packages into the open case. Cutout 3| at the bottom of the wider vertical side plate 28 accommodates the protruding end of a package contacted control lever 32 which is positioned to be moved when the forwardmost package of a to-be-loaded package row is pressed thereagainst with sufficient force. The latter force is exerted only when the package conveyor 20 is well filled with packages, the control lever being so weighted that it will not be moved unless a full row of packages plus at least an equal number (comprising the second row) are moved in face-to-face contact by the conveyor against said lever.

Movement of the case into package receiving position causes the case bottom flap F2 to bear against another control member 33 and move the latter about its pivot mounting 33a to cause a lower arm 33b to move linkage and levers to energize a hereafter described clutch.

When the conveyor has carried a predetermined number of packages into package loading position and when the empty case is correctly positioned to receive the same, the simultaneous movement of the case-flap operated member 33 and of the forwardmost-package operated member 32 connects (through certain more fully hereafter described clutch operating linkages) a continuously moving source of power to a package loading mechanism to operate the latter to plunge or load the assembled row of packages into the empty case.

The package loading mechanism comprises a package contacting plunger carrying a vertically extending face plate 34, which is parallel to the open side of the case. This plunger also includes a vertically extending plate member 35, which is positioned at 90?. to the first-mentioned plate member 34, said platef35 functioning to hold back, until said plunger has made' its complete stroke, those packages which are'situated on the package-supporting platelfi jan'd the conveyor 20 immediately behind the packages comprising the row which. is to be first fed intothe open Particular attention is dn'ected'to this s mplified form of package loadingplun ger. It performs all 'of' the functions required for loading .one complete package row and forsimultaneously holding back the following packages without the necessity of any package levers, trips or barriers being extended into the pathoff the packages as they are fed by'the fconvey'or. Moreover the conveyorfmay, of course, continue'to movejdurof the latters immediate and continued projection across the path of. the conveyor as' 'until the loading movement'isfully accomplished.

The plunger head comprising the Just-described plate members 34 and 35 may also contain a horizontally extending plate 36 which forms the plunger head into a three-sided boxlike member and desirably shrouds or covers some of the underlying mechanism as the plunger moves towards this case. Moreover, the just-described plates on the plunger head smoothly interfit within and so cooperate with heretofore described funnel-like construction of the horn that the packages are desirably loaded into the case.

This plunger head is mounted on plunger 3'! of U-shaped cross-section which is, in turn, carried by two supporting plunger slides 38 and 38. The latter are supported and slide on horizontally extending guides or slide rods 39 and 39, wherefrom horizontal reciprocation of said slides 38 and 38 results in the in-and-out loading stroke of the plunger head. A depending connecting lug 49 is fastened to the under side of the inverted U-shaped plunger rod 31 by two bolts, 4! passing through slots 42, 42 in the lug. This method of securing the lug to the plunger permits adjustability of the lug along the plunger with consequent variation of the throw of the plunger, as may be desired.

The in-and-out reciprocation of the plunger results from the connection thereto of a pivotally mounted plunger rocker arm 43, the upper end of which is connected through a link 44 to the horizontally adjustable depending member 40. The rocker arm 43 is caused to oscillate about its lower pivot 45 when a continually operated power source (shown for illustration only as a motor M5) is connected thereto by simultaneous operation of the heretofore referred-to lower case flap operated means 33 and package operated means 32, and the consequent various clutch engagements which will now be described.

It is deemed unnecessary elaborately to describe the connecting links, pivot points and other details whereby the said package and case flap-operated means 32 and 33 operate clutch stops 4'! and 48 respectively (Fig. 5) to throw clutch 49 into operation to rotate timing clutch shaft 50. The linkage whereby the said stops 4'! and 49 are withdrawn to permit the clutch 49 to operate is clearly shown in Fig. 5. Heretofore referred-to motor 46 through belt 5| drives large pulley 52 on shaft 53 of speed reducing mechanism 54. At the left-hand side (of the speed reducer) a continuously-driven sprocket 55 is connected by chain drive 56 to timing clutch sprocket 51 which upon energization of clutch 49 rotates shaft 50. Mounted on said timing clutch shaft 50 is plunger clutch trip or timing cam 58. A timing cam rod 59 is pivotally connected to the lower arm 60 of a plunger clutch stop 61.,

- a follower 52,.mountedfonthe upper portion of the; rod 59 is moveddownwardlyto rotate arm 33 downwardlyabout its pivotpoint, thereby to 'hereinbeforespecified .i This arrangement :ofv parts I permits -a rela vely ""lig'ht pressure :on the; package-contacted lever 32, such as may be (caused by the sliding con- "veyor belt 20 on'zthe bottom of the stoppedpaekages,"and on the; case'flap contactedmember #movezthe clutch;stop 6l from;above.,dog.,63 on -plun'ger' clutch. 64,:- permitting. consequent rota- "tion of the latter to. reciprocate plungenrod. 55,

33 caused by pushing the empty case intoload- .and associated parts.

ring position-to eventuate the-operation of the rrelatively vheavyplunger operating: clutchv 64 and .the heavy .plungeixparts associated with the lat- .ter. 'Onlya relativelyjlight effort is required -..to-.rotate-the plunger clutch trip or timing cam .58..and soimove timing cam rod 59 downwardly .that the .plunger'clutch'stop El will'be moved as compared to what would be necessary to operate directly the heavier packing-loading plunger After the clutch dog-63 has moved clockwise past the hook of the plunger .clutchsstop 6|, a-=spring-59acauses the rod 59 -.immediately-.to move upwardly to bring the follower 2 intocontact with the circular portion -of 3 plunger clutchtrip cam "58.

' stance-from one tooth thereof to another.

'Saidratchet-member II comprises a novelly veflicient means whereby the here-described package loading apparatus may be readily adjusted for-any desired number of plunging strokes. The .particular member H here illustrated comprises twelve teeth .HJ-adapted to be engaged on the return'stroke of the counting or ratchet operating arm.68.by the pawl 69 and thereby be turned -.through-an.arc comprising of its circumference-each time a plunger or package loading "strokeis made. Countingv pins 12, equal in number to the teeth on the ratchet member H, are

associated with the latter member by threaded insertion-into the circular apertures associated with each of said teeth. Accordingly, the ratchet 'here illustrated can be supplied with 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 or 12 pins with consequent variation in the number of plunger operating strokes which are made for eachcase loading. By providing 20 screw apertures on the same or other ratchets, other loadingcombinations may be set up; in factany-number of loading strokes can be provided by reason of the novel combination which .ishere disclosed.

:Inthe particular ratchet member here illusitrated,.adjustment has been made to permit the indexed feeding of ,three rows of packages. As

the member .H is,progressively ratcheted in a. I

.clockwise .direction, the positions assumed by one .of the (i.-.e., pin 12a) pins 12, are indicated. Whenthis pin moves from position two to position three, 1. e., when the plunger is making its 'thirdreturn stroke in the predetermined load- .ing cycle, after loading the third row of packages into the case) said pin 12a moves lever arm 13 of bell crank arrangement 13, 14 downwardly.

Said bell crank I3, 14 is pivoted on shaft 15 extending parallel to the package conveyor and,

case'sealer center lines (note that arms 13 and I4 are, for convenience, displaced lengthwise of 'shaft '15) which shaft carriesat its far endanother lever I6 which is adapted through various'hereafter to-be-described connecting levers and-rods toenergize a case sealer mechanism clutch member '11 when said third plunging Stroke-occurs. This latter clutch member and its-function will be hereafter more fully de- Referring. forrthe; moment, however, to-the side sealer portion of the apparatus (Fig. 12) .chains 18 and 19 are-carried by. frame portions of .the side sealer. As heretofore intimated,.it isnot deemed necessary. elaborately to detail theconstruction and/or-operation of the portion of .the apparatus which glues and side seals theflaps of the filled case. It is deemed sufficientto illustrate the manner only in which the filled case is automatically carried through the side seal- .ing'mechanism following the completion of the loading of a prescribed variable number of packages thereinto.

At this pointis should be mentioned, however, that one reasonfor the widespread acceptance .of the present novelly. combined package loader and sealer mechanismsisthe flexibility of the latter portion of ,the mechanism. By providing suitable adjustmentof the frame portions of the side sealer, cases of widely varying dimensions maybe accommodated therein. This, in turn, resultsinpackages. of varying numbers of rows, which packagesthemselves vary greatly in size. being loadable intovariably-sized cases. However, the mechanismis so arranged and associated with the package loading controls that irrespective of the size of the case, the latter is automatically withdrawn from its.loading position and moved through the flap sealing mechanism immediatelyupon.completion of the loading thereof.

The heretofore referred to chains 18 and 19 carry case moving lugsJ-e80 and 8|-8| the .latter being arranged,.pair by pair, equidistant along the length of the chains. It will'be noted that these chains run in a plane below the plat- .form 23 on which the case is supported wherefrom they may continue so'to travel below said platform without interfering with a case positioned thereupon until saidcase is contacted by .the case-moving lugs Bil-80 or 8|-8|, which .latter are so mounted on the chains that they ,project upwardly above the platform on either side thereof automatically to pick up and carry a case off said platform 23 and through the side sealing zone. These lugs are so positioned lengthwise of the chains that onepair thereof may contact and carry a loaded case completely through the side sealer before the other pair of lugs is in potential case-engaging position.

Such continued operation of the loaded casemoving lugs through the sealer even though an unfilled case is placed upon the platform and a new cycle .of package loading movements initiatedis insured by mechanism which will now be .described. ,It will be remembered that the predeterminedfinal package-loading plunger'movement, through heretofore described mechanism, causes the counterclockwise rotation of shaft 15 and the upward movement of the outer end of lever 16 mounted thereupon. The latter movementassociates the normally disconnected portions of the clutch 11, by the progressive movement of swivel rod 160., clutch trip lever 16b, trip pivot shaft 16c,.trip yoke lever 16d, clutch trip yoke 1.6a, lever 16/ (which is mounted on cam arm shaft 16; for purposes hereinafter more fully described), trip lever rod 16h, clutch stop shaft lever 1.61 (mounted on clutch stop shaft 167') and clutch stoplBk. The continuously operatingmember of said clutch is mounted on a games chain 71b from a spur sprocket 11c, which is mounted on shaft 11d which latter at its opposite end carries a large chain driven sprocket Tie. This latter sprocket He is in turn driven by chain 11 connected to small sprocket 11g, the latter being mounted upon a shaft carrying large pulley "h which is driven by belt 'I'li passing around pulley 82a on motor 82.

At this point, it should be understood that whereas the motor for driving the side sealing mechanism and loaded case withdrawal means is independent of the motor or power source which operates the package loading plunger, both primary sources may be combined if desired. Provision of an independent primary source for the flap folding and side sealing portion of the apparatus enables a more felicitous installation of certain hereinafter described means for insuring that the loaded case may be moved a fixed predetermined distance even while another case is being placed in stationary loading position on platform 23 and the loading of packages into the latter case is being initiated.

The driven portion of clutch 11 is mounted upon a clutch shaft 83 mounted in the apparatus side frames. The shaft 83 has a sprocket 83a mounted thereupon so that upon energization of the clutch H, the sprocket 83a will be driven to cause chain 83b to drive sprocket 830.

The latter is mounted upon a chain drive shaft 84. Mounting journals for the latter shaft are shown as carried by the side frames, this illustration serving to illustrate sufficiently the manner in which other shafts are mounted. Driving sprocket 84a84a for actuating chains 18 and 19 are mounted on said shaft 84 and idler sprockets 83d83d are mounted on shaft 83. Other idler sprockets support the chains at the case loading end of the frame.

Also mounted on said shaft 83 is a small driving sprocket 83c which is connected through chain 83 to driving sprocket 85 mounted on shaft 85a. The latter shaft 85a operates some of the flap closing and/or sealing instrumentalities, the operation of which is not deemed necessary here to describe since the said instrumentalities are well known in the art. This shaft 85a, however, also carries a small sprocket 85?) which through chain 850 drives a large sprocket 85d to rotate a timing cam 90.

As described, rotation of shaft 84 causes linear movement of the chains 18 and 19 upon which the case-engaging lugs 80--80 and 8l-8l are mounted. The apparatus is so timed that the package loading plunger head is fully withdrawn from interfering position with the case side flaps F3 and F4 before a pair of case-engaging lugs comes into contact with a just-loaded case.

Moreover, as before indicated, the automatic package-loading controlled mechanism is so novelly arranged that once the filled case has been contacted by the lugs it is continuously moved until it has completed its travel through the case sealing mechanism and is delivered to some subsequently operating mechanism, such for instance as a compression unit (the end of which is fragmentarily shown). Such continued movement, irrespective of the cyclic operation of the package loading plunger, is insured by providing a properly timed mechanism. In other words, the train of events which initially operatively associates the parts of clutch 71 does not persist for a, long enough time to insure such complete travel of the filled case through the sealing mechanism. This arises from the fact that immedi- 1o ately after pin 12a following its movement from its second to third position (Fig. 9) permits spring 14a to return the arm 14 of the bell crank lever arrangement on shaft 15 to its normal position,

the return rotation of said shaft 15 would immediately disable the connection between the constantly operating motor 82 and the mechanism for moving said chains 18 and 19 and the case-moving lugs carried thereby.

Accordingly, clutch timing cam is mounted I on timing cam shaft 9| and is arranged to lift cam follower 92 to insure that the clutch 11 will not be disconnected from the primary source of the power until after the side sealer mechanism has operated sufiiciently long to progress said case carrying chains 78 and 19 the required linear distance. This controlled operation results because the follower roll 92 holds lever 16f in the position to which it was moved by the package loading operation which initially raised the outer end of lever 16. After the cam 90 has permitted the correct progression of the case carrying chains, the lever 16] moves to permit the clutch stop 16k to fall back in front of its associated clutch dog on clutch 11, thereby disengaging the clutch TI and stopping the case carrier chains.

It will be observed that the chain is so dimensloned and the lugs so positioned thereupon that just after the completely sealed case has been delivered, stoppage of the chains leaves that pair of lugs, which were not just previously engaged in moving a case, in position to potentially engage the next case which is filled with packages.

Thus, an unfilled case may be placed upon the supporting platform 23, and the loading of pack- I ages therein may be initiated before the justpreviously filled case has completed its travel through the sealing mechanism. Such arrangement of mechanism involves a novel conception of timing which greatly enhances the eificiency 0f the herein described combined case loading. and case sealing mechanism. It is obvious that the here-described mechanism is no mere ag-, gregation of a package loading and a case seal-1 mg apparatus. A progression of carefully evolved and timed mechanisms have necessarily been assoc1ated to insure that the novel herein described and hereafter claimed combination are eventu ated. In fact if the two mechanisms had been" only aggregated, the complications arising from their operation would contribute nothing more to the art than do two separate machines as described in the prior art. No prior art disclosure or unexpected combination thereof involvesthe heinbefore described mechanism with consequent enjoyment of the high speed of case loading and" sealing which the herein-described mechanism permits.

moved through the sealing means.

happen for instance if the motor on side of the apparatus was disabled or other reason the filled case remained on the platform or plate 23. Of course I when such cont ngency arises, the lower flap of in front of the case andthe erated as though the filled case had been autog the filled,vv case is st1l1 in plunger clutch energizing positionwherefrom packages would continue to be placed :i plunger still be op- 121. matically. moved and'a new. unfilled casecorrectly positioned for loading.

Accordingly, another. feature which has .led to the acceptance ofthe presently-described apparatus resides in a safety device peculiar to the needs of the hereinbefore described combination and, which is so associated with the packageloading, operating mechanism that the last,- mentioned erroneous operation cannot occur. Bell cranklevers I3 and I4v mountedon; shaft I5 and operating in such agmanner that the downward movementof arm I3 (when pin 12a ridesdownwardly thereover) causes the counterclockwise rotation of saidshaft I5 to energize the sealer chains has been explained. Lever 14 of this bell crank arrangement is pivotally pinned to vthe bottom of a rod I00. through a yoke IOI. This rod passes through a horizontal bearing plate I02 of themachine frame and carries the return spring 14a which is compressible between said horizontal machine portion I02 andacollar I03.adjustably secured to the rod I00. Theupper end-of. the rod is adapted to lift trip; rod and latch I04. from pin I05 on latch pin lever I06. The member I04 is pivotally connected toand is moved by the lower arm 33b (extending below the pivot of case trip lever 33). Accordingly, even though the lower flap F2 of a filled case continues so positioned as to actuate flap operated member 33 into position to disengage timing clutch stop 48, the latter stop will, nevertheless, be vmoved to declutching position by the opera tion of the just-described safety device. In other words, after the plunger hasmade the prescribed number of loading strokes, the downward movement of arm I3 of bell crank I3, I4 will not .only rotate the shaft counterclockwise thereby normally to operate the sealer chains, but will also so disable clutch 49 that the plunger will not continueto operate until removal of a lower case fiap F2 from contact with member 33 permits the various parts to resume their normal inoperative positions and only thereafter to be operated by saidfiap in the heretofore explained manner to energize the package plunger clutch.

Obviously the hereinbefore described invention may assume various not-illustrated forms, and accordingly it is not limited by any foregoing specific embodiment of a successfully tested machine but only. by the appended claims interpreted in light of the prior art.

Having thus described a the. invention, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is;

1, In an apparatus, asdescribed, means for receiving ,a case, providedwith double fiaps andadall fid to hold a; plurality of rows ofpackages, in package-receiving position, means for-positioning atleastone row of packages in said receivingposition, each row containing a predetermined number of packa es, case sealingmechanism, means for loadingsaidpackages.into said 12. ceiving position for loading into the said case, each row containing a predetermined number of packages, case sealing mechanism, means for loading said packages into said case row after row, controlmechanism operated by said package-loading means and conveying means initially controlled by said control mechanism for automatically and continuously moving said casefollowing the loading of a predetermined number of rows of packages thereinto-through said mechanism for sealing the side fiaps of both sides of saidcase; the positioning of an unfilled case and the initiation of package loading thereinto being accomplished simultaneously with the continuous movement of the immediately previously filled case through the sealing mechanism.

3. In apparatus of the character described, means forsupporting a case provided with double flaps and in package-receiving position with one set of sidefiaps in package arresting position and with the other set of side flaps opened to receive packages, means for positioning a predetermined number of package rows in at least one row at a timefor loading into said case, case sealing mechanism, means for loading said positionedvrows of packages row after row into said case through the open side thereof only when said case is in predetermined proper packagereceiving position and only when a predetermined number of packages are positioned opposite the open side of said case, control mechanism actuated by said package loading means, and conveying means controlled initially by said control mechanism in accordance with whatever predetermined number of rows of packages are to be loaded into said case for automatically moving said case through said sealing mechanism immediately following upon said case being so loaded.

4. In. apparatus. of the character described, means for supporting a case provided with double flaps and in package-receiving position with one set of side fiaps in package arresting position and with the other set of side flaps opened to receive packages, means for positioning a predetermined number of package rows for loading into said case, means for loading said positioned rowsof packages in at least one row at a time into said case through the open side thereof only when saidcase is inpredetermined proper package-receiving position and only when a predetermined number of packages are positioned opposite the open side of said case, case sealing mechanism, control mechanism actuated by said package loading means, conveying means initially controlled by said control mechanism by whatever predetermined number of rows are to be loaded into said case for automatically movmg said case into said sealing mechanism immediately following upon said case being so loaded, and means independent of said control mechanism for completely moving said filled case through said sealing mechanism and at the same time permitting loading of a newly-positioned case to be initiated while said preceding, case is beingsealed;

5. In an apparatus as described, means for receiving a case, provided with double flaps and adapted to hold-a plurality of rows of'packages, 1n package-receivingposition, means for positioning at'least onerow of packages for loading into saidcase, each row containing a predetermined number of packages, means for loading said packages row by row into said case, case sealing mechanism, control mechanism operated,

by said package loading means and conveying means initially controlled by said control mechanism for automatically moving said case following the loading of a predetermined number of packages thereinto-through said mechanism for sealing the side flaps of both sides of said case, said package positioning means and said case sealing means both including conveyors arranged in parallel horizontal side by side, relation.

6. An apparatus of the character described, means for supporting a case provided with double flaps and in package-receiving position with one set of side flaps in package arresting position and with the other set of side flaps opened to receive packages, means for positioning a, predetermined number of package rows for loading into said case, means for placing said positioned rows of packages in at least one row at a time into said case through the open side thereof only when said case is in predetermined proper package-receiving position and only when a predetermined number of packages are positioned opposite the open side of said case, case sealing mechanism, case-moving means controlled according to whatever predetermined number of packages are to be loaded into said case for automatically initiating movement of said case through said sealing mechanism immediately following the loading thereof, and for insuring the complete movement of said filled case through said sealing mechanism while at the same time permitting loading of a newly-positioned case to be initiated while the preceding case is being sealed, said case-moving means including a control initially actuated by the package loading means immediately following the completion of the loading of a predetermined number of packages and thereafter maintained in operation by means dependent upon the sealing requirements for said case.

7. An apparatus of the character described, means for supporting a case provided with double flaps and in package-receiving position with one set of side flaps in package arresting position and with the other set of side fiaps opened to receive packages, means for assembling a predetermined number of package rows for loading into said case, case sealing mechanism, means for placing said positioned rows of packages in at least one row at a time into said case through the open side thereof only when said case is in predetermined proper package-receiving position and only when a predetermined number of packages are positioned opposite the open side of said case, case-moving means controlled according to whatever predetermined number of packages are to be loaded into said case for automatically initiating movement of said case through said sealing mechanism immediately following the loading thereof, and for insuring the complete movement of said filled case through said sealing mechanism while at th same time permitting loading of a newly-positioned case to be initiated while the preceding case is being sealed, said case-moving means including a control mechanism initially actuated by the said loading means and immediately following the loading of a predetermined number of packages and thereafter maintained in operation by means dependent upon the sealing requirements for said case, the said initiating means comprising also a counting device insuring the operation thereof following an adjustable predetermined number of loading package operations.

8. An apparatus of the character described, means for supporting a case provided with double flapsand in package-receiving position with one set of side flaps in package arresting position and with the other set of side flaps opened to receive packages, means for positioning a predetermined number of packages in at least one row at a time, for loading into said case, case sealing mechanism, means for placing said positioned rows of packages into said case through the open side thereof only when said case is in predetermined proper package-receiving position and only when a predetermined number of packages are positioned opposite the open side of said case, means controlled according to whatever predetermined number of packages are to be,

loaded into said case for automatically initiating movement of said case through said sealing mechanism immediately following the loading thereof, and means for insuring the complete movement of said filled case through said sealing mechanism while at the same time permitting loading of a newly-positioned case to be initiated while the preceding case is being sealed, said case-moving means comprising a control initially actuated at the loading of a predetermined number of packages and thereafter maintained in operation by means dependent upon the sealing requirements for said case, the said initiating means comprising a counting device insuring the operation thereof following an adjustable predetermined number of package loading operations, the latter including a toothed member adapted to be steppedly moved in accordance with the package loading operation, said member including means settable for a variant number of package loading operations.

9. In an apparatus as described, means for receiving a case, provided with double flaps and adapted to hold a plurality of rows of packages, in package-receiving position, means for positioning at least one row of packages for loading into said case, each row containing a predetermined number of packages, means for loading said packages into said case row by row, mechanism for sealing the flaps at both sides of said case, and means for automatically moving said case-in consonance with the loading of a predetermined number of rows of packages thereinto-through said sealing mechanism for sealing the side flaps of both sides of said case, said last named means including mechanism for disabling subsequent package loading operations upon the failure of the means for removing the loaded case from said case receiving means.

10. In an apparatus as described, a case supporting platform, means associated with said platform and adapted to be contacted by a flap of a case positioned in correct loading position thereupon, a conveyor for moving a row of packages into proximity-with said platform, means contacted by the forwardmost of said packages, a clutch adapted to be energized only when both said flap-contacted and said package-contacted means are moved, a mechanical relay operated by a driven member of said clutch, a package loading plunger adapted to move the aforesaid packages row by row into said case and a constantly driven power source to which said plunger is connected through operation of said mechanical relay when the first mentioned clutch is dually released by said case flap operated memher and said package-contacted member.

11. In an apparatus as described, a case supporting platform, means associated with said platform andadapted to becontacted by a flapof a case positioned in correct loading position thereupon, a-conveyor for moving anumber of packages intmproximity with saidplatform, means contactedby the forwardmostof said packages, a clutch adapted to be energized only-When both said flap-contacted and said package-contacted means are moved, a mechanical relay operated by a driven member ofsaid'clutch, another clutch energized'bysaid relay, a'pack'age loading plunger, means connecting a driven'member of said lastnamedclutch to said plunger to reciprocate the latter'to'load packages row by row into said case, and" counting 'means' also operated through said mechanical relay'for predetermining the-ultimate number of plunger row loading movementsfor each case:-

121 man-apparatus as described, a case supporting platform; means associated with said platform' and adaptedto be contacted by a flap of a case-positioned incorrect loading position thereupon; a' conveyor for moving packages into proximity-with said platform, means contacted" by. the forwardmost of said packages, a clutch adapted to be energized only when both said flapcontacted and said package-contacted means are moved; a mechanical relay operated by a driven memb'erof said clutch, another clutch energized by'said -relay, a package'loading plunger, means corrnectingadriven member of said last-named clutch 'to said plunger to reciprocate the latter to load packages-rowby, row into said case, and counting means also operated through said mechanical relay forrpredetermining the utimate numbercfplunger row loading movements for each'caseysaid'counting means including a ratchet wheel comprising a number of'teeth and pinreceiving or mounting means, the tooth numbers therein: and, the pin placement thereon determiningthe plunger package loading movements for"each1case'thereby to facilitate adjustment of thepa'ckage rowloadings in said apparatus.

13;.In1apparatus of the character described, means for supporting a case in package-receiving position'withi one set .of side flaps in package arresting position and with the other set of 'side flaps opened'toreceive packages, means for assembling.

a number of package rows for loading intosaid case, means for placing, said assembled rows of packages in at least one rowat a time into said casethrough the open side thereof only when said case isin predetermined proper package-receiving position and only when a predetermined number of 'packagesarepositioned opposite the open side of said base, case sealing mechanism, means controlled by, whatever predetermined number of packages .are to be loaded into said case for automatically moving said case into said sealing mechanism immediately upon said case being so loaded" and means for completely moving said filled'case throughsaid sealing mechanism and at the same'time" permitting loading of a newly positioned-case-to be initiated while said preceding case-is beingsealed', said latter means including a caseconveyor adapted to' move loaded cases oil saidcase supporting'means, the latter being mounted-above the'conveyor path and said conveyor having-case-contacting and carrying means mounted thereupon', and apackage row loading responsive' trip for initiating said loaded case movementandfor at thesame time energizing said" conveyor for continued movement while another case' is-being positioned and the loading thereof initiated.

1 :In' a' case loading and sealing apparatus wherein'a package-conveyor'moves a-line'of "pack ages intoa loading position, a-transfer'mecha nism operates in cycles to fill at-least one row of said packages at each cycle into acase at said loading-position, a filledcaseconveyor moves the filled case from the loading position through case sealing apparatus, and actuating'means operates said transfer mechanism and conveyors, the com-- bination with said actuating'm'eans, of control means therefor including means for causin thestarting ofthe transfermech'anism in its filling operation only when a row of packages and a case are in their-respective loading positions, and in-- cluding control means operated by said case load-' ing means'only upon and immediately followingthe conclusion of the loading operation for causing the starting of the case conveyor'to carry the filled case by-continuous movement through the sealing mechanism;

15. In a case loading andsealing apparatus wherein a package conveyor moves a line of packages into a loading position, a transfer mechanism operates in cycles to fill at least one row'of said packages at each cycle into a case at said'loading position, a filled case conveyor moves the filled case from th -loading position through case sealing apparatus, and actuating means operates said transfer mechanism and conveyors, the combination with said'actuating means of control means therefor 'including'means for causing the starting of the transfer mechanism in its filling operation only when a row of-packagesand a case are in their respective loading positions, means operative only upon the conclusion of'thefillins operation for temporarily rendering inoperativ the said transfer mechanism and for causing the starting of the case conveyor to carry the filled case-by'continuous movement through the sealing mechanism, and means for prevention of interruption of said continuous movement. 16. In a case loading and sealing apparatus wherein a package conveyor moves a line of packages into a loading positioma transfer mechanism operates in cycles to fill at least one row of said packages at each cycle-into'a case'atsaidloading position, a filled cas conveyor moves the filled' casefrom the loading position through case sealing apparatus, and actuatingmeans operates said transfer mechanism and conveyors, the combination with said actuatingmeans ofcontrol'means therefor-including means'for causing the starting of the transfer mechanism in its filli'ng operationonlywhen a'row of packages and a caseare in' their respective loadingpositions, means opera-- tive only upon' the conclusion" of the filling operation for causing the'starting of the case conveyor to' carry the'filled case 'by' continuous movement through the sealing mechanism; said control means including apparatus for interrupting oper-- ation of said transfer means until the 'loaded'case' is removed. from said loading, position and an. empty, case is placed therein, and means controlled bythe case conveyor mechanism after the conveyor is so started for preventing interruption of its continuous movement for the required dis tance through the'sealing mechanism.

17. In apparatus of the class described for loading packages into and sealing cases,in combination; an incoming 'packageconveyor, a horizontal stationary loading funnel extending transversely thereto, the conveyor being arranged to place'a row of packages across the receiving end of said funnel, a case-loading platform at the discharge'end of the funnel havingprovision to receive an empty case with its open end fiaps'overlapping the discharge end of the funnel, a loading plunger at the other side of said row from the funnel and reciprocable therethrough to charge said row of packages through the funnel and into the said case and simultaneously to hold back incoming packages on said conveyor, a case-sealing mechanism in line with the said platform and in parallelism with the said conveyor, a loaded case conveyor from said platform through said mechanism, a clutch for controlling the application for operating power to said plunger, a trip in the path of the first package in said row when it reaches its loading position, another trip operated by an end flap of the case when it its loading position on the platform, means connecting each of said trips with the said clutch jointly to energize the same when both the packages and the case are in their respective loading positions, mechanism operated by said clutch to cause the operation of said loading plunger to load the case and thereafter to stop the same and to start the case conveyor at the conclusion of the loading operation to carry th case through the sealing mechanism, and indexing means in said clutch-operated mechanism readily to adjust the number of plunger strokes in each of said loading operations.

18. In a case loading and sealing apparatus wherein a package conveyor moves a line of packages into a leading position, a transfer mechanism operates in cycles to fill at least one row of said packages at each cycle into a case at said loading position, a filled case conveyor moves the filled case from the loading position through case sealing apparatus, and actuating means operates said transfer mechanism and conveyors, the combination with said actuating means of control means therefor including means for causing the starting of the transfer mechanism in its filling operation only when a row of packages and a case are in their respective loading positions, and including means operative only upon the conclusion of the filling operation for causing the starting of the case conveyor to carry the filled case by continuous movement through the sealing mechanism, said last-named means including control apparatus for interrupting the operation of the said transfer means until a loaded case is removed from the loading position.

19. In a cas loading and sealing apparatus wherein a package conveyor moves a line of packages into a loading position, a transfer mechanism operates in cycles to fill at least one row of said packages at each cycle into a case at said loading position, a filled case conveyor moves the filled case from the loading position through case sealing apparatus, and actuating means operates said transfer mechanism and conveyors, the combination with said actuating means of control means therefor including means for causing the starting of the transfer mechanism in its filling operation only when a row of packages and a case are in their respective loading positions, and including means operative only upon the conclusion of the filling operation for causing the starting of the case conveyor to carry the filled case by continuous movement through the sealing mechanism, said last-named means including control apparatus for interrupting the operation of the said transfer means until a loaded case is removed from the loading position, said control means and said control apparatus maintaining said transfer means inoperative until a loaded case is removed from said loading position and until an empty case is arranged therein.

JOHN L. FERGUSON. RICHARD C. TALBOT.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 793,014 Mitchell et a1 June 20, 1905 2,051,190 Van Buren Aug. 18, 1936 2,067,301 Miller Jan. 12, 1937 2,124,962 Ferguson et al July 26, 1938 2,160,008 Van Buren May 30, 1939 2,319,167 Stewart May 11, 1943 2,331,018 Fedorchak et a1 Oct. 5, 1943 2,430,878 Kimball Nov. 18, 1947 

